After boarding the luxury Coach at Rawson St Epping, the journey today takes you through some interesting countryside on your way to New England and the charming city of Armidale. The Coach Captain will provide an informative commentary as you travel. Travel north towards Raymond Terrace where you leave the Pacific Highway and join the Buckets Way through to Gloucester, on the edge of the Barrington Tops National Park. After morning tea at Gloucester continue along the scenic Thunderbolts Way to Walcha for lunch. You will be warmly welcomed in Armidale at the Deer Park Motor Inn with time to settle in before happy hour and dinner in their charming restaurant. Your contact number during your stay will be 02 6772 9999.

This morning begins with a drive the rolling green pastures to Dangar Falls, part of the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park. There will be time to view the falls and gorge via easy access paths. Next is the historic gold mining town of Uralla (Thunderbolt Country) where we visit the McCrossin’s Mill. A three-storey flourmill built in 1870. It has been restored and converted into a Museum, and features a series of oil paintings by Phillip Pomeroy, depicting the last house of the Legendary Bushranger, Thunderbolt. You will enjoy hearing the story of Thunderbolt brilliantly told by our guide while viewing the paintings. After lunch at the Mill you will have some time to explore the unique craft shops and visitor centre at Uralla, or for the energetic you can follow the "Heritage Walk" map that begins at McCrossin’s Mill and features many of Uralla’s historic buildings. Weather permitting call into the local Cemetery to see Thunderbolts Grave before returning to Armidale.

Following breakfast we will travel via Guyra, known as "Potato" country and Tingha en-route to Inverell situated on the Gwydir Highway linking New England and the Newell Highways. The town of Inverell is a thriving commercial and service centre surrounded by a productive, mixed farming district. Mining is also an important activity in the district. A guided tour of Inverell will start the day in Inverell taking in the Bicentennial Memorial and Scottish Cairn, a visit to the Pioneer Village, displaying local history follows. The village is authentic and the buildings belong to the district. The period portrayed is 1840 –1936. We will visit the Gem Centre to view Inverell Sapphires. See the gem cutter at work creating quality gems and you will have the opportunity to purchase a range of gifts. There will be some time after our Sapphire tour to wander through the town centre.

This morning after breakfast a local guide, with a comprehensive knowledge of Armidale, will join the coach for a Heritage tour of Armidale. You will visit the New England Regional Art Museum where the Hinton collection is housed, pass by heritage buildings and stop at the Historic Railway Museum for morning tea, then on to the University of New England, Australia’s oldest regional university. From town it is only a few kilometres out to Petersons Winery for a tasting of New England’s premium Cool Climate Wines followed by a tasty sausage sizzle at the Winery. On return to town the afternoon is free for you to wander around the CBD, which has a delightful range of boutique stores, arcades and coffee shops. Within close proximity of the shopping centre you can visit the Folk Museum (free entry) located near the Post Office or enjoy the splendour of Armidale’s two magnificent Cathedrals. St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral and St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral located near Central Park. The coach will pick you up at a pre-arranged time later in the day.

This morning we travel via the New England Highway to Glen Innes. The Glen Innes community prides itself on its parklands with sweeping, immaculately maintained lawns and gardens only minutes from the town centre. The town parks are a visual delight, particularly the towering deciduous trees, which change colour with the seasons. We will start our tour with a visit to the Land of Beardies History House Museum, renowned as one of the best folk law museums in NSW. This is an extensive historical collection beautifully housed in the historic Glen Innes hospital building. Next we will see the collection of gems at Reddestone Sapphires located in the Visitors Centre. Here a local guide will join us for a Kilted Celt Tour through Historic Grey Street viewing historical buildings, the town, then on to the Standing Stones, which will draw together the Celtic significance of Glen Innes as our guide presents an entertaining overview of the history and mystery behind the ‘Stones’. In the afternoon a guide will join us for a tour through Stonehenge, Glencoe and Ben Lomond. A touch of gold, strange rock formations, trout waters and history – that’s all part of this tour.